Principal Civil Engineer

Avove Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car / cash allowance

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Family friendly policies

Lifestyle benefits

Financial wellbeing programme

Employee assistance program

Volunteering days

Charity matched giving

Job summary

Avove is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to join our UK design team under the United Utilities Framework in Warrington. You will lead the delivery of larger water and wastewater projects, guide technical strategy, mentor junior staff, and ensure on‑time, within‑budget outcomes across feasibility to commissioning.

You will manage client requirements, deliver high‑quality designs, and uphold health & safety standards while promoting continuous improvement. Hybrid working options are available.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in water and wastewater non‑infrastructure design.
• Proficiency in MS Office and AutoCAD.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to produce clear technical reports.
• Proven ability to lead and work within a collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver design solutions that meet project requirements, on time and within budget.
• Provide line management and oversight of Engineers and Technicians.
• Maintain high technical standards and client satisfaction.
• Lead projects through design stages from feasibility to commissioning.
• Prepare, review and approve engineering designs, documents, and cost estimates.
• Ensure compliance with IMS, CDM Regulations, and health & safety practices.
• Develop and maintain client relationships and support bids.

Skills

Water/wastewater design

Leadership

Mentoring

Client management

AutoCAD

Tools

MS Office

AutoCAD

Job description

Working here isn’t just a job. You can advance your career at Avove, and we’ll reward you with a range of benefits that recognise great work. We provide full training and continuous development to help you reach your potential. We strive to create an inclusive working environment where everyone can be themselves. Join us and take the next step towards a fulfilling career.

About the role

Due to continued growth, Avove is seeking to appoint a Principal Civil Engineer to join our United Utilities Framework within our UK design team.

The role will involve leading the project and/or technical delivery of larger and more complex water and wastewater non‑infrastructure schemes, ensuring high‑quality outcomes are delivered on time, within budget, and to client specifications.

You will provide technical leadership, mentor junior team members, and deliver design solutions across all stages of the project lifecycle, from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design and commissioning.

Location: Warrington (Avove offers flexible hybrid working, with a combination of office and remote working)

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver effective, innovative, and value‑for‑money design solutions that meet technical and project requirements.
• Provide line management and oversight of team members, including Engineers, Senior Engineers, Senior Technicians, and Assistant and Graduate Engineers.
• Maintain high technical standards, ensuring all work is delivered in line with the project brief and client expectations.
• Lead projects through preliminary and detailed design stages, with a strong focus on client requirements, innovation, and quality.
• Prepare, review, and approve engineering designs, technical documents, cost estimates, and calculations, and oversee drawing production.
• Ensure full compliance with Avove’s Integrated Management System (IMS) and all relevant health, safety, and environmental legislation, with particular emphasis on the CDM Regulations.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative client relationships.
• Support contract preparation, including project planning and programme development.
• Contribute to the preparation of bids and provide delivery support across other contracts where required.

Skills & Experience Required

• Strong technical background in the design of water and wastewater non‑infrastructure works. Applications are welcomed from a range of relevant disciplines, including Civil, MEICA, and Process Engineering.
• Computer literate, with proficiency in the MS Office suite and a working knowledge of engineering software such as AutoCAD.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong organisational ability and the capability to produce clear, concise, and well‑structured technical reports.
• Proven ability to lead, contribute to, and work effectively within a collaborative team environment, with a committed approach to meeting project deadlines.
• Demonstrates a strong client‑focused approach to service delivery.
• Self‑motivated, with a proactive mindset and a drive to achieve continuous improvement objectives.
• Maintains a strong focus on Health and Safety, ensuring best practice is embedded within all aspects of design and project delivery.

Please note that candidates with qualifications that do not fully match the above criteria but have relevant equivalent experience are invited to apply.

What’s in it for you…

We offer a rewarding salary that is tailored to your skills and experience. But that’s not all! We celebrate hard work and give recognition to our colleagues. In addition to this, we understand that one size doesn’t fit all so everyone has access to a variety of flexible benefits that work for you.

• Company car or cash allowance
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Family friendly policies
• A selection of lifestyle benefit options
• Financial wellbeing programme
• Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues
• We love to give back so we offer you volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving where we will boost your fundraising.

About us:

We design, build and maintain the UK’s utilities infrastructure to help transform local communities for the better. We provide cutting‑edge and sustainable engineering solutions and play a critical role in helping to keep the water running, the lights on and people connected.

We are an expert, responsible and agile partner, providing vital services to water and power sectors. We work closely with our clients to help protect and improve their assets, enhance customer experience and protect the natural environment. Everything we do is designed to drive continual improvement and move life forward.

We are proud to work in partnership with leading utility providers, including Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Northern PowerGrid, Northumbrian Water Group, and Scottish Power Energy Networks.

We are an equal opportunities employer:

We welcome applications from candidates of all races, genders, disabilities, religions, ages and sexual orientations.

We know that having a diverse workforce encourages new perspectives, inspires creativity and creates an engaging workplace and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues can thrive.

When it comes to inclusion, we’re making sure we keep up the progress with our Communities of Practice, who help us do just that.

What next:

If you have any questions, please reach out for an informal discussion